“So few people truly understand what I do,” sighs Catherine B whilst exhaling yet another cigarette. “This is not a consignment store. This is something different”.

That ‘something different’ is an Aladdin’s treasure cave packed with collectable Chanel and Hermes pieces, on which Catherine is an expert. She can tell a real piece from pirated one more so than many retail directors in the fashion houses themselves. “There are many things to watch for,” she says. “And some fakes today are good…very good. But I know. I just know”.

This savvy collector stocks the most elusive bags, jackets, scarves and shoes from the 30’s to the 90’s, but not beyond. She’s not interested in being a depot for the unwanted bags of fickle rich girls; instead, she sees her shop as half museum, half retail store. “Some people can’t understand why I am charging more for a 2.55 bag than the listed price in a Chanel boutique”, she continues. “But it is because the 2.55 I am carrying is a one-of-a-kind piece designed by Mademoiselle Chanel herself, that cannot be found anywhere else in the world!”

Indeed, some of her stock is so rare, it isn’t even for sale. Take her Chanel bicycle, for instance. One of about a hundred left on the planet, it features two sidesaddle ‘handbags’ and the signature Chanel quilting not only on the bags, but on the seat as well. She also owns the original Birkin bag from Hermes. It boasts the initials JB and is numbered 0—it being the first. It also features a strap created at Ms Birkin’s request: “She wanted to be able to put it on her shoulder while she looked for things inside the bag,” explains Catherine.

Her amicable husband assures me that there are many more treasures cached around the store. “She will only show them to people who are truly interested”, he tells me. But when Catherine finds those people who share her enthusiasm and love for vintage Chanel and Hermes, it makes her day–even if there’s no sale.

Catherine explains she would love to share her enthusiasm for these collectable designer pieces in a modern venue, like Harrods Department store, because she believes the English have a better appreciation for all things vintage than the French, who are more likely to use accessories that were passed down through the generations rather than buying vintage pieces themselves. ‘It’s all about heritage,’ she says.

Unleash your fury with some Louis Vuitton Queen of Hearts shoes in tow! This collection is whimsical and quirky as it could get – we love how the label is so keen about the details, we forgot that this ain’t Wonderland! Before you go down any further into the Rabbit Hole of Shoes (we can dream, right?), you have to see what these babies have in store for you.

This boot is definitely a showstopper – a grand design, marvelous print, attention to detail, what more could you ask for? This piece features the Monogram Infrarouge print, which was first seen during the Spring/Summer 2015 Collection. The black and red combination had us sold! It has a diamond shaped heel (inspired by a Monogram flower) and metallic cutouts which are brought to life by metallic leather. Yes. This is the boot of your dreams.

This glazed calf leather variation shares a lot of similarities with the Monogram Infrarouge, but if you’re more of the colored leather type of shoe lover (not so heavy on the Monograms, eh?), you will love this piece. Both varieties have a padded insock with crisscross pattern for enhanced comfort. There’s no reason to go out there in pain – comfort is not an issue with these babies!

Queen of Hearts Sandals
Size: 1cm heel
Price: €780 EUR

The Queen of Hearts Sandals are flaming hot right now! This sandal in cracked metallic leather and suede baby goat leather is perfect for both casual affairs and date nights. Who says you gotta stick with the heels? Our point, exactly. LV maximizes style without sacrificing comfort, so you’re covered!